1. Warm-up:
What role do “third” or “minority” parties play in elections?

2. Populist Party

3. Farmers
A major complaint was tariffs: good for industry but always hurt the farmers
Raised the prices of manufactured goods:
example - farm machinery
Kept foreigners from earning currency to buy American crops
Railroads charged outrageous prices to ship crops
Should be regulated
Wanted money supply to be based on gold and silver so there would be increased money supply (more money available)—raise crop prices
Many people found themselves supporting the Populist Party

4. Populist’s Platform
Demanded radical changes in federal economic and social policies
Increased circulation of money
Unlimited minting of silver
Progressive income tax
Government ownership of communications & transportation
Supported an 8 hour work day & restricting immigration
Did this to get support from industrial workers
Supported a united front for African American and white farmers

6. Populists Third party that could easily affect the election
Next election, threw support behind William Jennings Bryan
Bryan lost the election, could not get support from North and East industry
Many of the reforms sought by populists later found their way into the other two major parties platforms
Many of the Populist’s ideas would later be foundation for the major reforms of the Progressive era.

9. Activity:
Bryan speech analysis on Google Classroom